South Sanpete School Board: District could get $4M from stimulus

GUNNISON — South Sanpete School District has qualified for a $4-million bond available from federal stimulus funds, which would help to reduce the impact to local taxpayers.

The announcement was made at the school board meeting Sept. 9 held at Gunnison Valley High School.

The funds are part of $50.9 million in financing to Utah schools available through federal Qualified School Construction Bonds, much of which was awarded to rural school districts. The district will use the funds to help pay for construction of the new Ephraim and Gunnison elementary schools, as well as the remodeling of Manti Elementary School.

Of the $30 million bond the district implemented in June 2008, $24.4 million has been used for the construction so far. Instead of tapping into the remaining funds, which would further impact taxpayers, the district chose to pursue this low-to-no interest credit alternative that will be paid back over 16 years.

The district has until December 2010 to formally apply for the funding. It will most likely apply in the spring of 2010, when it will have a better idea of how much of the $4 million they will need, said Superintendent Don Hill.

Also discussed in the school board meeting Sept. 9 was the district’s implementation of a new state policy for background checks and employment. Instead of a Social Security background check that only taps into criminal activity within the state, the district is now required to perform a fingerprint background check, which covers criminal activity throughout the country.

The new policy requires nonlicensed employees such as bus drivers and cafeteria workers to submit to a criminal background check every six years. Licensed teachers much have a background check each time their teaching license is renewed.

In addition, an employee, licensed or nonlicenses, must inform the district within 48 hours of being arrested for alleged sex-, drugs-, alcohol-, or assault-related offenses. They must also report any convictions they receive in a court of law, including pleas in abeyance and diversion agreements, within 48 hours of notice. The superintendent is then required to report the convictions to the Utah State Office of Education.

Depending on the offense, the employee will face suspension during the investigation and/or dismissal. By reporting the offense within 48 hours, the employee will be in better standing with the district.

“This is not a cure-all to fix the system,” Hill said, mentioning that many of the teachers recently in the media for getting involved with minor students had no previous criminal record.

“The state has raised the bar for public school employees,” Hill said. “They are expected to comply with higher standards.”

Early projections of South Sanpete School District’s student enrollment numbers are up again for the sixth consecutive year. A formal count will be performed Oct. 1.